Posted on 02/05/2018 6:17:06 PM PST by EdnaMode
Rep. Eric Swalwell told THR that a recent threat against CNN staffers showed his bill is needed. Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who represents California's 15th Congressional District, wants legislators to do more than just use words to convey the importance of a free press. He's hoping the House of Representative will pass a bill he introduced on Monday, the Journalist Protection Act, which would make it a federal crime to harm a journalist in the field with the intent of impeding their work.
The safety and security of journalists has been top-of-mind throughout Donald Trump's presidency, and was ratcheted up in importance after a Michigan man was arrested and charged on Jan. 19 with threatening to kill CNN employees. (CNN president Jeff Zucker assured his employees that they were never at risk.)
Swalwell, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, said the bill was already in the works at the time of the arrest but that efforts were expedited. He said the threat against CNN "hastened the need" for his bill and validated the concern he and his co-sponsors have for members of the news media.
The bill announcement mentioned the president's decision to tweet, on July 2, a video that was edited to show him body-slamming and punching a person who had the CNN logo superimposed on them. Swalwell called the tweet "childish."
"It's the president of the United States, who has millions of followers and who is supposed to be the leader of our country doing it," he said. "I do fear that could embolden people themselves to take up violence against a journalist who they don't like."
But, Swalwell, who makes regular appearances across cable news, made clear that his bill is intended to protect journalists of all stripes. "I seek to protect the CNN journalist as much as I seek to protect the Fox News journalist," he said.
According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 44 journalists were attacked last year.
Bernie Lunzer, president of The NewsGuild-CWA, offered his support of the bill in a prepared statement. The bill, he said, should be embraced by "everyone who believes our democracy depends on a free and vibrant press."
Swalwell's bill stands little chance of passage in the Republican-controlled House, but he said he's hopeful it will attract bipartisan support.
Mumblebumbler makes national news!
Corporate employees are a cut far above normal people who report things and deserve treatment both preferential and deferential.
Should be a sport. Sure you should have a permit/license/tag system. Don’t want to wipe them out completely.
That would be wrong.
Yes, Swallow-well attacked Tucker.
They’ve obviously figured out they’ve played the MSM to the breaking point.
Just as obviously, the plan is to double down.
No. It is already a crime to assault people. F this moron.
Evolution. The ones who can tell the truth will survive.
Crawl back under your rock, lib, before someone picks it up and throws it at ya.
Tired of these insane POSs.
And thus does the Socialist state attempt to provide security for it's zampolits.
ROTFL. Any consequence of “legalizing” medicinal recreational pot.
Would this apply to FOX News journalists also?
The MSM is the Country’s greatest threat.
The fascism streak is strong in Mexifornia rats.
Yeah, that’s a fair metric.
Well, it does make sense, given that they are representatives of the government.
And it should also be a federal crime to lie or mislead the public in reporting.... penalty should be the same as given to an attacker.
The MSM is the Right Arm of the Demonut Party ,why else would they want this
Only a crime if you didn’t get a hunting license.
Same D-bag that Tucker took apart last week.
“Swalwell”? Must be a Democrat.
If he submits a bill protecting 2d Amendment folks “out in the field” I may pay him some mind.
Other than that - he can go swallow well.
I’d cheer if Bret was removed! He delights in being “fair” with anything he can find that is anti Trump. It shows all over his face and demeanor.
I have not made up my mind why they have such hate for this man who is my President!
Is it because they all are in the world domination to the point that it runs everything they think and say?
Is it just they don’t like his ways? IF that is the case, they are the most insecure and self righteous individuals on the planet... surely they all are not that childish and feminized!
Is it because they wish failure and destruction to our country?
And don’t tell me just because they are democrats.. it is not that simple... there have been democrats forever and never have they been this ugly!
Is it the clintons have that much power over them all?
Is it spiritual and they are against anything good?
Whatever... this is so really off the charts for tolerance and working for the good or our country. if they can’t get past a persons’s personality... let me tell them about the past 8 years of having a condescending, lying, anti American, pro anything bad or destructive, elitist sob who oozed of anger and lawlessness.
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